Spring-latch for a lighting fixture



M. BODIAN ET AL 2,851,588

SPRING-LATCH FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE sept. 9,1958

Filed Jan. 14, 1957 SPRING-LATCH FOR A LIGHTING FIXTURE Marcus Bodian, .Los Angeles, and yHubert E. Harshbarger,

Huntington Park, Calif., assignors to Sunbeam Lighting Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a firm Application January 1'4, 1957, Serial No. 634,038

2 Claims. `(Cl..240-78) This invention relates to a concealed spring-latch device and in particular to a latching device for removably l holding a diffusion unit to a fluorescent ceiling light fixture.

One object of the invention is to provide a substantially concealed latching device for holding the diusion unit on a recessed fluorescent ceiling light fixture. Another object is to provide a spring latch device which is easily operated by finger pressure to remove a diffusion unit from a ceiling light xture. A further object is to provide a spring latch unit which is vibration proof and securely holds a diffusion unit or the like on a fluorescent ceiling light fixture. j

These and other objects are attained by my invention which will be understood from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. l is a fluorescent ceiling light xture viewed from the diffuser unit face illustrating the manner of using my spring latches;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. l showing the diffuser unit in place as held by the latch, and in broken lines in unlatched vertically displaced position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view partly in section from the position 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the catch hook;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the frame of the device;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the button lever; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing an integral rocker arm and catch hook engaging bar.

Referring to the drawings, my spring latch device consists of an elongated frame 11 having a vertical side member and an adjoining horizontal top member joined together along the long edges, said frame preferably being a stamping from sheet metal with the side and top members arranged generally at right angles. The frame has a cut-out Window 14 in the horizontal top member 13, the window being disposed near one end of the elongated frame. A rocker 15 is pivotally mounted on the inside of the vertical member 12 beneath said window 14, the rocker being provided with a cylindrical socket 16 on the horizontal portion 17,!said socket being adapted to operatively engage an operating lever, to be described. A hook engaging bar 18, preferably integral with the vertical arm 19 of the rocker 15 is provided to extend through the window 14. The hook engaging bar 18 is bent to a horizontal position above the surface of the top member 13, and is movable arcuately by the rocker to engage the catch hook zo. The catch hook zo is rigidly attached in vertical position to a top surface of the diffusion unit 21. A coiled tension spring 22 is attached at one end to the hole 23 in the bar 18, the `other end of the spring being attached to a punched-out tab 24 on the horizontal member 13 of the frame 11. The spring 22 is arranged to keep the hook engaging bar 18 in engaged position relative to the catch hook. A button lever 26 is pivoted nited States Patent O Patented Sept. 9, 19.58

able button 27 mounted at the end of the-shorter ,por-

tion 28 of the button lever 26, the longer portion 29 being provided at its end with socket-engaging means 30'aranged to operatively engage vthe socket 1'6on the'rocker l5. As shown, the socket 16 consists 0f a cylindrical notch and the Asocket engaging means 30 consists of a cylindrical knob yat the end of the longer portion`29of the button lever 26. p

The latch device is particularly designedffor holding a diffusion unit 21 on tothe fluorescent lightxturqwhielt is normally mounted on the ceiling. In the particular unit shown, four of these latch devices are arranged adjacent the four corners of a fluorescent ceiling fixture, each being spot welded to a horizontal recess-forming flange 33, with the button 27 of the latch device protruding for a short distance through a hole 35 in the horizontal finish flange 36 of the fixture. The diffusion unit 21 fits into the recess between the recess-forming ange 33 and the finish flange 36. The catch hook 20 is attached as by spot welding to an upper face of the diffusion unit at positions aligned with the positions of the windows 14 of each of the mounted latch devices. The diffuser unit is thus easily installed merely by pushing the catch hooks through the aligned windows, the spring-biased hook-en gaging bars 18 engaging the catch hooks 20. The diffuser unit is easily released by merely pressing the four buttons 27 so that the catch hooks 20 become disengaged.

The Vadvantages of my invention will be apparent. No portion of the spring-latch device shows when the diffuser is installed except the `small buttons adjacent the four corners. The spring tension prevents the hooks from becoming accidentally disengaged by vibration or the like, so that the diffuser unit is maintained safely in place on the ceiling fixture. The diffuser unit is easily removed without the use of any tools by merely pressing the inconspicuous buttons.

We claim:

l. In combination a ceiling light fixture having a recessed face and an out-turned finish fiange, a diffuser unit adapted to fit into said recessed face, and means for removably holding said diffuser unit on said fixture, said holding means comprising one or more spring-latch devices each consisting of an elongated frame having a vertical side member and an edge-connected adjoining horizontal top member, said frame having a window near one end extending through said top member; a rocker pivoted on said side member under said window, said rocker having a socket adapted to operatively connect with a button lever; a catch hook-engaging bar extending upwardly from said rocker through said window, and then across said frame over said window, said bar being adapted to engage a catch hook on said diffuser unit extending through said window; spring means between said frame and said catch hook-engaging bar arranged to hold said bar in latching position; and a button lever pivotally mounted on said side member at a distance from said rocker arm socket, the pivotal axis being nearer one end than the other, said lever having a finger-operable button extending from its shorter portion, and having socket engaging means at the end -of its longer portion; said diffuser unit being provided with vertically disposed catch hooks at positions corresponding to the Windows of said latch devices, said catch hooks being releasably held by said spring-biased bars above said Windows; said outturned finish flange of said fixture being provided with apertures to receive said finger-operable buttons.

2. In combination, a ceiling light fixture having a recessed face and an out-tumed finish fiange, a diffuser unit adapted to t into said recessed face, and means for removably holding said diffuser unit on said fixture, said holding means comprising one or more spring latch de- `vices each consisting of an elongated frame having top `and side members, said frame having a window in the "topy member near one end; a rocker pivoted on said frame adjacent said window, said rocker having an operative .connection to a button lever; a hook-engaging bar attached to said rocker and extending across said window, said bar being adapted to engage a catch hook extending from a diffusion unit through said window; spring means between said frame and said hook-engaging bar arranged to Ihold said bar in latching position; a button lever pivotally mounted on said frame at a distance from said rocker arm, the pivotal axis being nearer one end than the other, said lever having a finger-operable button extending from its shorter end, and being operatively connected at its other end to said rocker; said out-turned finish ange of said iixture being provided with an aperture to receive said finger-operable button.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,670,527 Williamson May 22, 1928 1,721,016 Gaskino July 16, 1929 1,844,639 Crumpton Feb. 9, 1932 2,304,480 Schramm Dec. 8, 1942 2,476,062 Pierce July 12, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 37,998 Switzerland Apr. 17, 1907 

